Diet Pills: THYROID HORMONE PILLS

Thyroid hormones are produced in the body by the thyroid gland. They are necessary for growth, and they stimulate carbohydrate use in the body. It is well known that individuals with an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism) experience increases in metabolism and carbohydrate use. People with
too much thyroid hormone tend to lose 15% of their body weight.

This weight is regained when their thyroid is treated and thyroid hormone levels return to normal.
In 1893, thyroid extract was marketed under various brand names, including Frank J. Kellogg’s Safe Fat Reducer, Corpulin, and Marmola. People took thyroid hormone pills (or liquid) in addition to having natural thyroid hormones produced by their thyroid glands. The result was an excess of thyroid hormone in the body, which caused increases in metabolism, increased burning of calories, and weight loss.

At the time, the FDA did not evaluate drugs for safety or efficacy prior to their reaching the market. Prescriptions were not required to obtain medications, so people could obtain thyroid hormones at any corner pharmacy or apothecary without being seen by a doctor. Although these thyroid hormone
extracts did produce weight loss, they were not safe.

In individuals who took thyroid hormones, 80% of the weight lost was lean body mass (muscle and bone) rather than excess fat. People taking these extracts experienced muscle weakness and bone breakdown, which led to a condition called osteoporosis, in which bones are weakened and the risk of bone fractures or breaks is increased. Thyroid hormone extracts also made the heart work harder by increasing metabolism, which led to problems such as increased heart rate, palpitations, and irregular
heartbeat.

These problems were potentially life threatening: When the heart beats abnormally (or not at all), it is unable to pump blood and oxygen to the brain and body. Individuals die suddenly from this condition because the brain can only function for a few minutes without oxygen and nutrients. Many people took thyroid drugs for weight loss before it was discovered that they could lead to serious health problems.

Thyroid hormones are still available, with a prescription, for patients with an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). These drugs are never given for weight loss.